Irish Heart Beat with Dervish is now available on all good public radio stations
Dervish are bringing the spirit of Irish music “sessions” to the airwaves worldwide for the first time .“Irish Heartbeat with Dervish” is now available on all good public radio stations. The show website is available here. You can listen to a 3 minute sample of the series by clicking below. Further details on the show are available in this flyer. Click here to download
SLIGO, IRELAND ─ The Irish music “session” – regularly connected with the great pubs of Ireland and the wild beauty of the west of Ireland – is now set to take a new path on American airwaves. Renowned Irish traditional band Dervish will bring the sounds of a spirited Irish session to American public radio audiences through a new weekly radio program, “Irish Heartbeat with Dervish.” The program goes into production this month at the band’s Sligo studios in the West of Ireland. It will air in Ireland on national network RTE, and launch in the USA later this year. Hosted by Dervish’s charismatic lead singer Cathy Jordan, the program will feature guests from among Ireland and America’s top traditional and roots musicians, as well as noted figures from Ireland’s literary and wider arts world. Already confirmed are Moya Brennan of Clannad, Matt Molloy, John Carty and Arty McGlynn, The Saw Doctors, singer Susan McKeown, and leading traditional groups Danú and Téada. Many others are in discussion.Spellbinding music, exciting collaborations and engaging conversations with guests will all be part of “Irish Heartbeat with Dervish.” Listeners will get a true sense of sitting close in a music session at a pub or party in Ireland—an unforgettable experience with lively instrumental tunes traded back and forth, moving songs, chat, laughter, and always a great craic.“Irish Heartbeat with Dervish” will launch initially on flagship station WCMU-FM (an NPR-affiliate in Michigan) and its seven-station network later this year, and will be offered to over 800 public radio stations across America. A Christmas special is in the works to be available for this holiday season, and there are plans for a special St Patrick’s Day show as well as broadcasts from some of Ireland’s major festivals and landmarks. The program’s website www.irishheartbeat.ie will be regularly updated with program and guest information, audio clips and other interactive features.The program is the brainchild of Dervish co-founder and accordion player Shane Mitchell. “We wanted to capture the character and spirit of a pub session, which is the natural home of our music,” he says. “We came up with the idea of a regular radio show with guests jamming with the band, to send to America. I must say I’ve never seen the band so excited about a project!” The members of Dervish will make up the program’s house band. Together since 1989, Dervish is considered one of the Irish music world’s leading performers. The six-member group has released 10 albums and two DVDs on their own Whirling Disc label, and have received numerous awards including “Trad Band of the Year” for 2007 by Hot Press (Ireland’s top music publication) and Irish Music Magazine’s “Band of the Year” a decade earlier. Michael Flatley (Riverdance, Lord of the Dance) called them the “best band in Ireland” when launching the Sligo Live Festival in Dervish’s home town. The show website will launch shortly.
Dervish tour dates in Japan in December now available
"Travelling Show is moody, soulful and epic. Cathy Jordan is at the forefront and she shreds the rulebook and pulls the best vocal performances of her career." Hot Press
Dervish released their eagerly awaited new album (their tenth) in October 2007. Produced by the legendary John Reynolds and featuring a host of talented guest musicians, the album is called Travelling Show. Click here for details
